Reliving Happy Days

I thought this was going to be the episode where Ralph and Potsie argue and divide the apartment, but, although they bicker, that I guess happens later.  In this one, they move into a rundown sort of studio with Richie, although their arguing, and bad housework, drive him back home.  The green laundry bumps this up from a C to a C+. Chachi's as yet unseen mother is the landlady, which I'm guessing will have significance later.  Poor Potsie says that his father would pay anything to keep him from moving home.  And poor Al seems to want to be one of the gang much more than Arnold ever did.

This is an improvement over the previous season's "Dance Contest."  Marion is again feeling frustrated by her life as a housewife, and this time she does indeed get a job: waitress at Arnold's.  What she really wants to do is expand her skills as a music teacher (referenced on at least two other episodes already) and after Richie has to fire her (Al isn't assertive enough), Howard is understanding enough that he agrees to her going to get a teaching certificate.  I can't remember if this actually has consequences, since it seems like Marion mostly was a homemaker in later seasons.  And I'm not sure if the thing about Fonzie encouraging Marion's independence, while getting a massage from the girlfriend of the week, is fully realized by director Paris.  I was actually leaning towards a C+, but the men's room scene, especially Joanie barging in, is genuinely funny, so B-. A few notes: Patricia Wilson was a nameless Carhop before and is Paulette Barker...